1. In order for an aggregate of people to be considered a group in a formal sense, several criteria need to be met. Specifically, a group consists of two or more people who interact with one another, perceive themselves as a group, and are interdependent.
2. Group structure comprises the regular, stable patterns of behavior that occur in the groups. Among the most important elements of group structure are roles, status, norms, and cohesiveness.
3. Roles are the behaviors that are associated with and come to be expected of people in a given position. The roles people assume exert a powerful influence on their behavior. Roles differ in status –the evaluation of a role or of a person holding a role. The two major determinants of status are the magnitude of a person’s contribution to the success of the group in achieving its goals, and the degree or power the person wields over others.
4. Norms are the rules that guide people’s behavior in groups. Prescriptive norms suggest ways people ought to behave, while proscriptive norms inform people about behaviors they should avoid.
5. Group cohesiveness is the extent to which the members of a group find the group attractive. High group cohesiveness results in longer maintenance of membership, greater influence over members, and high self-esteem and lower anxiety among members. Cohesiveness also influences group productivity, depending on the nature of the group norms.
6. Social facilitation refers to the change in performance due to the presence of others. According to one explanation, the mere presence of others raises the general level of emotional arousal, leading to improved performance in well-learned activities but to declines in performance of poorly learned activities.
7. Other explanations for social facilitation effects suggest that the presence of others leads to evaluation apprehension –the perception that the audience is evaluating us. Alternatively, distraction-conflict theory proposes that social facilitation effects occur because the presence of others is distracting, and our attention becomes divided between the task at hand and the others who are present. This divided attention leads to conflict, which in turn leads to higher physiological arousal.
10 comments:
Above quoted from, "Social Psychology," Robert S. Feldman (1995), pg 469.
Maybe if we used a less trodden word than "clique," like the word, "Group" we can begin to dialogue in various journals concepts such as group structure, roles, norms, ... social facilitation, evaluation apprehension, and distraction-conflict. Ok, maybe not all at once, but if we talked reasonably about role choices that are more healthy and cohesive in a larger sense? Our love, Ayn and all
Very well written. I applaud you.
{{{{{Ayn and all}}}}} this is a valiant effort you've undertaken. It is very obvious how much you care and are willing to try to effect a healing change. This deserves a well thought out response which I will do later. I just wanted to say thank you right now.
very nice ayn. very in depth.
yes, can we be smart about it too?
What a beautifully logical way of looking at it, Ayn! I feel enlightened having read it. Thank you for your constant fairness in how you perceive things. :)
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." Timely entry - well put! :)
As usual you are right on target. I enjoy interacting with "a group' and on a one to one basis. I find no reason to bicker. My Regards, Bill.
Ayn,see your following post..Here are a good set of guidelines for accomplishing what you have suggested! That`s a lot of work that you did! Sends me back to grad school! Really good work!
Vince
This is quite a technical and informative look at the group dynamic. Are we getting a glimpse of Ayn at work? =P
For those not in the know, this is the place to be!
I remain enlightened and inspired!
Love, Penny
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